CVA 209 breech plug?

[Newtosavage]

I've enjoyed my Ruger 77/50 for years now, but wanted a stainless closed breech gun for elk hunting in the mountains so I recently bought a CVA Optima V2. It came with the standard breech plug. I have to use loose powder in Colorado so before I even get started, can anyone tell me what their experience was with Triple 7 and the standard CVA breech plug? I'm already leaking cash on the way to the mountains. I'll get the 209 plug if I really have to, but wanted to ask first.

Also, is there a safe way to just modify the stock plug to make it more reliable/accurate with loose powder?

Thanks.

 

[Armored farmer]

No experiences with in lines, but lots with traditional muzzleloader.
I can't imagine having any problems with loose powder.

Personally, I would use real 3f black powder.

 

[red rick]

I have a CVA Accura V1 and I shoot 777 and Whit Hots with the standard breech plug with never a problem . I heard great things about Blackhorn 209 powder and I also read about hang fires , so I bought a modified breech plug and had a hang fire and I was cleaning it every 3 shoots with a drill bit and wire . I decided the Blackhorn powder was not worth the risk of a once in a lifetime buck . I know they make a special breech plug for the V2 if using Blackhorn 209 powder , but I have know experience with the V2 . You should not need a special breech plug for anything except Blackhorn 209 powder with your CVA .

 

[Newtosavage]

Red rick, are you shooting 777 pellets or loose powder?

 

[birdshot8's]

I have the Optima V2, I have shot a lot of 777 with a standard breech plug, using mostly 777 primers but plenty of shots with standard shotgun primers. Has fired every time, though I rarely go more than a dozen rounds between cleanings. Once I left it loaded for several months, bullet, a green power belt, was right on the mark at one hundred steps.

 

[red rick]

Red rick, are you shooting 777 pellets or loose powder?

I have used both without problems . I mainly use the pellets because they are so convenient and accuracy is good , maybe a little better with the loose powder once you find what it likes .

 

[Axis II]

sorry to hijack-

do you need a breech plug that hollow for loose 777?

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm already leaking cash on the way to the mountains. I'll get the 209 plug if I really have to, b

Why don't you try it and see how it works with loose powder?
I figure it will be just fine.
If you can get good reliable ignition with a flintlock.....a 209 primer will be like a blowtorch.

I'm pretty certain that 3f black powder has a lower ignition temp than 777. It cleans up easier too.

 

[Newtosavage]

That's the plan. From what I recall with full power 209's and triple 7, a crud ring is hard to avoid. But I'll see what happens tomorrow.

 

[red rick]

You are right about the crud ring with most substitute powders . The only substitute powder that will not form a crud ring after 1 or 2 shoots is Blackhorn 209 that I know of .

 

[Newtosavage]

Took it out yesterday a.m. and never got a fail to fire or hang fire. I swabbed (3 patches) between every shot. Can't speak to the accuracy yet since I was having some trouble with my rear sight adjustment, but I think I have that figured out now. So far, the Triple 7 loose powder is doing just fine with the stock breech plug. If I ever decide to go to BH209 powder, I'll get the new breech plug then.

 

[DKSDonnie]

I've enjoyed my Ruger 77/50 for years now, but wanted a stainless closed breech gun for elk hunting in the mountains so I recently bought a CVA Optima V2. It came with the standard breech plug. I have to use loose powder in Colorado so before I even get started, can anyone tell me what their experience was with Triple 7 and the standard CVA breech plug? I'm already leaking cash on the way to the mountains. I'll get the 209 plug if I really have to, but wanted to ask first.

Also, is there a safe way to just modify the stock plug to make it more reliable/accurate with loose powder?

Thanks.

I would recommend the Blackhorn 209 Breechplug as it is designed much diff than the standard breech plug. It has a very open channel all the way back to the primer as to help in a uniform firing of loose powder. You are supposed to be able to use 777 loose and Blackhorn 209 in this breechplug. I just took possession of a CVA Kodiac Magnum which I want to make to shoot Blackhorn 209 but I can't find the breechplug I need. I see the one's for all CVA's from 2010 and up but is there a diff in the plug for say my 2004 model? Any help in steering in the right direction would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Some of this has already been mentioned.
The Standard Optima V2 breach plug uses 209 shotgun primers, so you must be referring to a specialized "Blackhorn 209" breach plug.
You only need a Blackhorn 209 breach plug if you shoot Blackhorn 209 powder since Blackhorn 209 takes more to ignite than Real Black Powder, 777, Pyrodex, loose or pellets
Real Black Powder or loose 777 will function just fine with percussion caps, the even more powerful 209 shotgun primers are more than enough to ignite Real Black Powder or loose 777 with the Standard breach plug.

 

[Axis II]

Some of this has already been mentioned.
The Standard Optima V2 breach plug uses 209 shotgun primers, so you must be referring to a specialized "Blackhorn 209" breach plug.
You only need a Blackhorn 209 breach plug if you shoot Blackhorn 209 powder since Blackhorn 209 takes more to ignite than Real Black Powder, 777, Pyrodex, loose or pellets
Real Black Powder or loose 777 will function just fine with percussion caps, the even more powerful 209 shotgun primers are more than enough to ignite Real Black Powder or loose 777 with the Standard breach plug.

so if im shooting loose 777 i can use the normal/standard cva breech plug?

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

so if im shooting loose 777 i can use the normal/standard cva breech plug?

Absolutely.

 

[DKSDonnie]

Some of this has already been mentioned.
The Standard Optima V2 breach plug uses 209 shotgun primers, so you must be referring to a specialized "Blackhorn 209" breach plug.
You only need a Blackhorn 209 breach plug if you shoot Blackhorn 209 powder since Blackhorn 209 takes more to ignite than Real Black Powder, 777, Pyrodex, loose or pellets
Real Black Powder or loose 777 will function just fine with percussion caps, the even more powerful 209 shotgun primers are more than enough to ignite Real Black Powder or loose 777 with the Standard breach plug.

I emailed CVA and they don't make a "Specialized" breech plug for the Blackhorn 209 for guns 2009 and older. It's only for the guns from 2010 and up. You can use the original breech plug but it is recommended by the makers of Blackhorn 209 that the flashhole to be between 0.030 and 0.035. I ordered a 0.035 drill bit and I just make sure all my breechplugs are that size. The only time I've had a hang fire and once no fire was one time I forgot to run a couple patches down the barrel to remove the oil I put in it after cleaning and when I loaded it the powder, it absorbed the oil and it didn't fire. Not even after 3 primers. So don't make that mistake like me! I also use CCI magnum 209 primers and Blackhorn 209 exclusively. I will never shoot anything but Blackhorn 209 ever again. No more crud ring, doesn't absorb moisture, very little smoke, easy to clean, no more cleaning the barrel after a few shots, even letting it sit for a year with a load in it doesn't affect ignition or accuracy. Let 777 or Pyrodex sit in your gun fired or unfired, it will pit and rust the barrel like crazy. They are water based and that's why they absorb moisture and you must clean guns with warm soapy water. All Blackhorn 209 needs is a couple hoppes patches and your done. I personally think the extra $ for Blackhorn 209 is worth using over all the hassles with 777 and Pyrodex.